A serial burglar called the police from inside prison to confess to 10 break-ins in Derby.

Simon Brown telephoned officers to tell them he was responsible for smashing his way into nine takeaways and a bookmakers during a two-month crime wave in the summer of 2016.

He admitted to them that he would use a brick or another implement to break windows or doors to gain entry before stealing cash and alcohol.

And Derby Crown Court heard how he chose to own up to the offences while serving a 21-month jail term as he “has realised at the age of 44 enough is enough” and when he is finally released he wants to love “a crime-free life”.

Simon Brown 'wants a crime-free life' when he is finally released (Image: Derbyshire police)

Handing Brown a fresh 14-month jail term, Judge Robert Egbuna said: “I have to sentence you for 10 commercial burglaries totalling just over £4,000 in takings that were all committed around the same area of Derby.

“It is quite clear you targeted these premises because they were easy pickings for you.

“However, it is fair to say that, but for your admissions, many of these offences would never have made it to court.

“Putting it bluntly, but for you opening your mouth you would not be here.”

Lucky Thandi, prosecuting, told the court how Brown, of HMP Peterborough, has 26 convictions for 87 offences between 1985 and 2016, 24 of which are for burglaries or thefts.

She said between May and July last year he broke into the nine takeaways in the Normanton, city centre and Littleover areas as well as the Ladbrokes, in Normanton Road.

She said he would use either a brick or another items to smash his way in before searching for money and booze.

Simon Brown smashed his way into takeaways in Derby (Image: Derbyshire police)

Miss Thandi said: “The defendant has been in custody since November last year when he was handed a 21-month prison term for an unrelated offence.

“He telephoned the police to ask them to come and visit him in custody saying he wanted to confess to a number of burglaries that he committed.”

Brown pleaded guilty to one burglary when he smashed his way into Mumbai Chilli, in Stenson Road, Sunny Hill, on June 10, 2016 and stole £600.

He asked for the other nine burglaries to be taken into consideration.